IT Web reports that South Africa’s Department of Communications (DOC) plans to introduce the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill and the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) Bill by March this year. However, in January Communications Minister Dina Pule said the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill would be released for public comment in the first quarter of this year following consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Kate Skinner of the SOS: Support Public Broadcasting Coalition points out that the Minister also stated that she will be initiating a broadcasting policy review process. “So it doesn’t make sense to be tabling this legislation now as it should be reviewed as part of the Broadcasting policy review process.’
Screen Africa readers may recall that the DOC issued the amended Electronic Communication Bill in November last year and then hurriedly withdrew it following criticism that it put too much power in the hands of the Minister and curtailed ICASA’s independence.
